What is Stress?
The body's response to a problem is stress. Stress is commonly misunderstood as being negative, although it may be beneficial in some ways. Stress of the appropriate type may improve the intellect and reflexes. It may be able to improve the body's performance or assist you in escaping a perilous circumstance.
Stress causes your body to react physiologically. Hormones are released, resulting in stress-related bodily symptoms. Slowed digestion, shivering, tunnel vision, increased respiration and heart rate, dilation of pupils, and flushed skin are some of the symptoms. The "fight or flight" reaction is a term used to describe this process. That's exactly what it sounds like: our bodies are ready to either flee away from the stressor or fight against it.
There are three forms of stress, according to the American Psychological Association: acute, episodic acute, and chronic.
Acute Stress
The most common type of stress is acute stress, which occurs as a result of recent or expected stressors. Acute stress may be both beneficial and detrimental. The anticipation of a fun event, for example, is a form of positive acute stress. A vehicle collision is a source of negative acute stress. There is nothing wrong with experiencing acute stress as long as it does not continue for a lengthy period of time or occurs too frequently. It occurs to all of us from time to time.
Episodic Acute Stress
Acute stress that happens on a regular basis is known as episodic acute stress. This is the type of stress that recurs on a regular basis, sometimes in a predictable manner. Worry and anguish about things that are occurring to you or around you accompany it. If you have a “type A” mentality, you may be more prone to this, since you may have a sense of urgency and a drive to get things done that may become overpowering. Episodic acute stress is a form of stress that occurs on a regular basis.
Chronic Acute Stress
Chronic acute stress may be described as a never-ending source of stress that grinds you down. If you don't see an end in sight, if you're stuck in a situation with no way out, you're prone to develop chronic stress. This sort of stress eventually has an adverse effect on your health, resulting in heart disease, strokes, and even cancer, among other things. Chronic stress requires getting professional support.
Symptoms and Signs
Physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms are the four main categories of stress symptoms. The amount of symptoms in each category might vary depending on the person and the source of the stress. The chart below provides an overview of the many sorts of symptoms that may be present in someone who is stressed.
Behavioral Symptoms
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Change in eating habits
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Change in sleeping habits
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New or increased use of drugs, tobacco or drugs
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Nail biting
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Pacing
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Abnormal failure or delay to complete everyday responsibilities
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Significant change in school or work performance
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Unusual desire for social isolation
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Frequent lying
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Trouble getting along with peers, such as coworkers, classmates or teachers
Cognitive Symptoms
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Impaired concentration
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Trouble with remembering things, such as homework assignments or deadlines
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Chronic worrying
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Anxious thoughts or feelings
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Reduced or impaired judgment
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Impaired speech (mumbling or stuttering)
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Repetitive or unwanted thoughts
Physical Symptoms
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Irregular bowel movements
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Involuntary twitching or shaking
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Irregular or missed periods
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Getting sick more often than normal
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Reduced libido
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Chest pain with or without tachycardia
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Headaches
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Nausea
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Muscle aches
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Trouble sleeping
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Heartburn or indigestion
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Fatigue
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Flushed skin
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Clenched teeth
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Unusual changes in weight
Emotional Symptoms
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Irregular bowel movements
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Involuntary twitching or shaking
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Irregular or missed periods
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Getting sick more often than normal
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Reduced libido
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Chest pain with or without tachycardia
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Headaches
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Nausea
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Muscle aches
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Trouble sleeping
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Heartburn or indigestion
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Fatigue
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Flushed skin
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Clenched teeth
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Unusual changes in weight
STRESS